Consciousness is beauty and Creation is an expression of consciousness. Beauty is present in all creation. Eastern philosophy believes beauty is the nature of things, while western thought sees it as perception. Perhaps beauty is both subjective and objective.

The East emphasises subjectivity; it sees beauty as the nature of existence - as Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram, an objective phenomenon.

In the West, where objectivity is emphasised, beauty is seen as a subjective phenomenon. But as the old proverb goes, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. Beauty bridges the subject-object divide.

(See also: Peace on Earth, Peace in Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Every year on Makara Sankaranthi , a unique phenomenon takes place at Sabarimala, the popular pilgrim centre on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. A light of extraordinary brightness appears on the horizon in the north-eastern side of an adjacent mountain top called Kantamala. The beacon, called Makara Jyoti , lasts 15 to 20 minutes and marks the climax of the 41 days of the Sabarimala pilgrimage.

This 'light' miracle, in fact, follows yet another unexplained annual event. The ornaments of Lord Ayyappa, presiding deity of Sabarimala, are kept in the custody of the erstwhile Prince of Pandalam in his palace, 90 km from the temple. These are taken to the temple every year in a three-day-long procession. As the procession approaches the temple, an eagle is seen hovering over it, guiding it towards the sanctum sanctorum. Once the ornaments reach the temple, the eagle mysteriously disappears.

(See also: Makara Jyoti, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Christmas symbolises peace and goodwill towards all; that is why ceasefires are inspired by Christmas. It also means that we should ready ourselves to receive the child God, who epitomises the spirit of giving and receiving.

For many of us, sadly, the spirit of Christmas is ''hurry''.And yet, eventually, the hour comes when the rushing ends and the race against the calendar mercifully comes to a close. It is only now perhaps that we truly recognise the spirit of Christmas. Christmas itself is eternal, said Burton Hillis.

(See also: Christmas, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Nearly 80 per cent of the people of Assam are dependent on agriculture and spontaneous celebration of festivities is associated with the beginning and end of the harvest season. Bihu from the Sanskrit Vishu, is the harvest festival of Assam and is celebrated thrice in a year. The festival at the beginning of the spring season is Bohag Bihu, associated with the Vernal equinox in Chaitra Sankranti. The Kati Bihu is associated with the Autumnal equinox in Ashwina Sankranti.

People often call the Kati Bihu as Kangali Bihu as there is nothing much to eat during that period. People welcome budding paddy crops. The Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu associated with the winter solstice is celebrated with food and drinks after harvest, in Pausa Sankranti.

(See also: Bihu, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

The traditional festivals of the Indian diaspora all reflect the ancient concept of the Utsav Mela, which encouraged everyone to congregate, meet and mix amid festivity and pageantry. In fact, the word mela (fair) is derived from the word mil , meaning 'to meet'.

Baisakhi epitomises the mela notion of convergence for it brings together people of all castes and communities on the first day of Vaisakha, the beginning of the traditional Indian New Year. Basically a harvest festival, Baisakhi marks the ripening of the Rabi harvest, especially in the Punjab. It is called the Naba Barsha celebrations in Bengal, Rongali Bihu in Assam, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu and Pooram (Vishu) in Kerala.

(See also: Baisakhi, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

In my travels to different countries, it is always the children, filled with energy and hope, who leave me with the most lasting impression. When I gaze into their deep, clear eyes, I find myself profoundly encouraged. For in the deepest reaches of children's eyes shines the light of purpose, a natural sense of responsibility for the future of our planet.

(See also: Parenting, Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

When we meet people, how do we decide whether we want to associate with them in future? What kind of relationship do we want to have with them? How do we decide whether we like or dislike their character? The answer comes naturally. A first impression based on our instinct.

(See also: Thought vs Feeling, Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Pradosha Vrata

The Pradosha worship is to be done in the evening twilight on the 13th day of each lunar fortnight. It is the worship of Lord Shiva for victory and success in all undertakings, and the fulfilment of all your heart's cherished desires

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Pradosha Vrata: Hindu Worship - Pradosha Vrata

Yama (Sanskrit: यम) is the lord of death, whose first recorded appearance is in the Vedas. He is one of the most ancient beings in the world and parallel forms of one sort or another have been found all over Eurasia. He is known as Yima by Zoroastrians, and is considered to be cognate with Ymir of Norse legend and has become known as Enma, or Emma-o, in Japanese legend. Some even claim that he also ...

Including:

• Yama - Characteristics of Yama
• Yama - Subordination to Shiva and Vishnu
• Yama - Yamas as codes of conduct
• Yama - Yama in popular culture

Read more here: » Yama: Encyclopedia - Yama

Ahimsa is a religious concept which advocates non-violence and a respect for all life. Ahimsa (अहिंसा ahiṁsā) is Sanskrit for avoidance of himsa, or injury. It is interpreted most often as meaning peace and reverence toward all sentient beings. Ahimsa is the core of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Its first mention in Indian philosophy is found in the Hindu scriptures called the Upanishads, the oldest dating about 800 BCE. Those who pra ...

Including:

• Ahimsa - Ahimsa in Jainism
• Ahimsa - External links and references in Jainism
• Ahimsa - Ahimsa in Hinduism
• Ahimsa - Yoga
• Ahimsa - Gandhi

Read more here: » Ahimsa: Encyclopedia - Ahimsa

In Hinduism, Yajna or Yagya यज्ञ(Sanskrit yajñá "worship, prayer, praise; offering, oblation, sacrifice") is a Vedic ritual of sacrifice performed to please the Devas, or sometimes to the Supreme Spirit Brahman. It involves pouring oblations into the divine Agni (the sacrificial fire). Everything that is offered in the divine Agni is believed to reach the Devas. A yajna is typically performed by a hotar, with a number of additional priests playing a supporting role, chanting Vedic verses. Often there will be a ...

Read more here: » Yajna: Encyclopedia - Yajna

There are several ways for humans to sit. Sitting - Floor sitting positions. Sitting - Tailor Indian style Crisscross applesauce. To sit in the Tailor style: sit on floor any way bend one knee so that heel moves toward buttocks. bend other knee in same fashion, but place leg over other bent leg. Sitting - Lotus position. To sit in the lotus position: Start in the Tailor style described above

In Hinduism, Bagalamukhi is one of the mahavidyas. Bagalamukhi Devi smashes the devotee's misconceptions and delusions by her cudgel. The name literally means “crane faced,” which is how this goddess is sometimes depicted. She has a golden complexion and her cloth is yellow. She sits in a golden throne in the midst of an ocean of nectar full of yellow lotuses. A crescent moon adorns her head. She holds a club in her right hand with which she beats an enemy, while pulling his tongue out with another. This image is som ...

Read more here: » Bagalamukhi: Encyclopedia - Bagalamukhi

A vanaprastha (from Sanskrit vana, forest, and prus, dwelling) is a person who is living in the forest as a hermit after partially giving up material desires. This word is generally used to denote a particular phase of life(next 20 years {60-80 years of human life span} ). In this phase of life, the person is in a retreat from worldly life. He lives away from the city, in a jungle as a hermit, with as little material possessions as possible. This stage denotes a transition phase from material to spiritual life. It is the third ...

Read more here: » Vanaprastha: Encyclopedia - Vanaprastha

Aarti, ãrti, arathi, or ãrati is a Hindu ritual in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) or camphor is offered to one or more deities. It may be said to have descended from the Vedic concept of fire rituals, or homa. The word may also refer to the traditional Hindu devotional song that is sung in the ritual of the same name. Aarti is performed and sung to develop the highest love for God. "Aa" means towards, and "rati" means the higest love for God in Sanskrit. Until one attains the highest love ...

Including:

• Aarti - Aarti in Hindu temples
• Aarti - Aarti Lyrics
• Aarti - Aarti in South Indian temples

Read more here: » Aarti: Encyclopedia - Aarti

Nataraja (literally, The King of Dance) is the dancing posture of Lord Śiva, the aspect of God as the Destroyer in Hinduism. The upper right hand holds the Drum (called Udukkai in Tamil and Dhamarukha in Hindi), which symbolizes sound originating Creation. The upper left hand contains Agni or the fire, which signifies Destruction. The opposing concepts in the upper hands show the counterpoise of creation and destruction. The second right hand shows Abhaya (fe ...

Including:

• Nataraja - Origin

Read more here: » Nataraja: Encyclopedia - Nataraja

Tapasya is the principle and practice of physical and spiritual austerity and discipline to achieve a particular aim. A Sanskrit word, Tapasya is literally an personal endeavor of discipline, undertaken to achieve a goal. It is usually applied in religious and spiritual terms, but can be applied to any field or context. One who undertakes a tapasya is a Tapasvin. Monks and gurus in Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism practice tapasya as a means to purify and strengthen their devotion to Go ...

Including:

• Tapasya - Undertaking Tapasya
• Tapasya - Brahmacharya
• Tapasya - Yoga and Vows
• Tapasya - Religion and Mythology
• Tapasya - Famous Tapasvins
• Tapasya - Buddha and Mahavira
• Tapasya - Modern Tapasvins
• Tapasya - Exhausting or Violating Tapasya
• Tapasya - See Also

Read more here: » Tapasya: Encyclopedia - Tapasya

Samkhya Nyaya Vaisheshika Yoga Purva Mimamsa Advaita Vedanta Vishishtadvaita Dvaita Carvaka Jain Buddhist Logic Nyaya (pronounced as "nyα:yə") is the name given to one of the six orthodox or astika schools of Hindu ph ...

Including:

• Nyaya - Epistemology
• Nyaya - Theory of Inference
• Nyaya - The Nyaya Theory of Causation
• Nyaya - Anyathakyativada of Nyaya
• Nyaya - Nyaya Proof for God

Read more here: » Nyaya: Encyclopedia - Nyaya

The term puja is also used to refer to certain ceremonies performed by Buddhists on holy days. Pūjā (alternative transliteration pooja, Sanskrit: reverence or worship, loosely) is a religious ritual that Hindus perform for a variety of occasions- some perform it every morning after shower, and before breakfast, it is performed on the birthdays of the various deities and on festivals such as New Year's and Pongal (a Than ...

Including:

• Puja - Puja Rituals
• Puja - 27 steps of a puja
• Puja - The role of the Priest
• Puja - Individuals

Read more here: » Puja: Encyclopedia - Puja

Vastra dhauti:

yogic detoxification technique in which a specially prepared cloth is swallowed and removed after ten minutes, in order to remove mucus from the stomach

(See also: Vastra dhauti, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

Prasada - literally means mercy; especially refers to the remnants of food offered to the Deity; may also refer to the remnants of other articles offered to the Deity such as incense, flowers, garlands, and clothing.

(See also: Prasada, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Nyaya-sastra - the sastras dealing with a logical analysis of reality. The precepts of nyaya are mostly explained through analogies drawn from an analysis of common objects such as a clay pot (ghata) and a piece of cloth (pata) , so these words are repeatedly encountered in discussions of nyaya.

(See also: Nyaya-sastra, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)